Down For Love- chapter 2

By greyeyedgirl. BTW, if you're interested, my real name is Ruthi.

Author's Note: Well, I had more homework assigned, and I have midterms to study for, and Physics crap to do, but, well...lol. It's okay, though, I have a 4.0. Anyway, I hope this turns out okay. I wasn't quite sure where to go with the story, I never really am, I just let my fingers type and hope what letters they've strung together make sense.

Summary: "Meredith could feel the pain, stuck in her lungs and throat and soul, not letting her respond. The tears were too warm, they burned like the alcohol, and they were just as dangerous."

"34 year old male, damage to chest, in need of heart surgery to repair damage. Alcohol found in his bloodstream. May regain consciousness, is still-"

Derek awoke with a jolt, feeling pain like he never had before. He felt woozy, he could barely comprehend "few blocks away" "Seattle Grace" "loss of blood cause of concern." What was going on? What happened? "Meredith?"

"He's awake."

"Sir, can you hear me? You were in a car accident. We're taking you to Seattle Grace Hospital, you're in need of a-"

Derek attempted to sit up, but it was futile. "Meredith..."

xxxxxxx

"Are you okay?"

Meredith turned her head, rubbing a tear away from her eye. "Cristina."

Cristina walked over to her, sitting next to her in the waiting room. Her voice was uncharacteristically soft. "It's okay. Burke's going to take care of him."

Meredith forced a smile. "I know. I'm...I'm not worried."

Cristina was looking at her, concern written all over her lovely features. "Do you...need to talk about it?"

"He was drunk. He was driving drunk."

Cristina sighed. "I know."

Meredith's voice broke as the tears fell, she leaned her head against Cristina, crying. "He couldn't stop saying my name."

Cristina's arm wove it's way around Meredith's shoulder. "It's okay," she whispered.

"I want to go see him after the surgery. I need to. But what if...she's there?"

Cristina didn't say anything, just let Meredith's head tip against her, wiping away her tears.

xxxxxxx

"The surgery went perfectly. He's in recovery, but his chances should be excellent after his body gets over the essential shock of the accident followed almost immediately by the surgery."

"Thank you, Dr. Burke." Meredith's head was still leaned against Cristina's, although Cristina's eyes had become locked on Burke since he had entered the room.

Burke looked uncomfortable for a moment. "Dr. Grey, he's...asking to see you. It might help him."

Meredith looked at Cristina, standing up. "Will you...walk me in there?"

Cristina grasped Meredith's hand, leading her to the room.

Derek's eyes were closed.

"Derek?" Cristina gave Meredith's hand a last squeeze, before releasing it and subtly stepping out the door.

Derek's eyes had flown open at the sound of her voice. "Meredith." His voice was soft, weak.

Meredith could feel the pain, stuck in her lungs and throat and soul, not letting her respond. The tears were too warm, they burned like the alcohol, and they were just as dangerous.

"I'm leaving Addison."

Meredith was shaking, wondering if heaven could only come after the world had completely crashed down around her.

"What would be enough?"

"Meredith, I don't want you to cry."

She still couldn't talk. Her vocal cords had been ripped out. It Hurt. Why couldn't life ever give that anesthesia? Didn't people deserve some damn painkillers?

They were quiet, maybe too quiet, but maybe not. "Will you stay with me?" He whispered.

Meredith wasn't sure if he meant in the hospital room, or in a relationship, or even if he had spoke at all. Her dreams liked to play tricks on her.

"Yes."

xxxxxxx

"Derek, we...we need to talk about this." Addison's eyes were lit, whether from the light hitting them or the tears forming was undetectable.

"What's there to talk about?" Derek was quiet, and his eyes were glistening, pained from physical and emotional heartbreak.

"You...you're really...in love with her?" Addison was trying to keep her composure. Her head was up straight. She couldn't let him see what he was doing to her. She wasn't going to stay with someone that didn't want her.

"So this is really...it? I packed up my life, my practice, and you're telling me that you're in love with her?"

"Addison, I'm so sorry." Why did he have to keep apologizing to the women he was with? "I just...we've...drifted away, and I don't feel...that...anymore. And with Meredith, it's...different."

Addison looked broken. "Derek, I can't go back to New York. Everyone would...know, and..."

"Tell them you broke up with me. That I cheated on you. Whatever you want. It doesn't matter to me. My life is here now, Addie."

Addison could feel her inside shattering as she stared at Derek, trying to keep her face like she didn't care. Like he wasn't killing her.

"You're really...in love with her."

A hint of a smile twitched at Derek's face as Meredith's smile drifted into his mind. "Yes."

Addison forced her voice not to shake, managing a syllable, pronouncing it carelessly, nonchalantly. "Fine."

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Meredith headed down the hall, brushing a tear off her face as she walked. How could it work? How could she be with him? How couldn't she be with him? She sighed. At least she didn't have to deal with Addison. Derek had said...she smiled, thinking of him. She continued down the hall, the cup of coffee Cristina had brought her warming her hand. She felt a little humming in her head as she pictured Derek's face. She'd promised to take him to see the ferryboats as soon as he was out of recovery. The smile widened on her face. Maybe it would work. She stopped walking as she turned a corner, as she watched Addison exit Derek's room.

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A/N: Sorry. Not very good at cliffhangers either. :p Sorry, I have to go study for my Civics midterm, it's tomorrow! I'm going to try to continue to write ff as much as I can, but I'm going to have a lot of homework next semester, I switched to Advanced Algebra. / But I promise to write fanfic! Like, a lot. Because I always wait till way past the last possible moment to do my homework anyway. Smiles sheepishly. And with new episodes (FINALLY, freaky-deaky yay) I'll have TONNNSSS to write about, and I'll just be rattlin off the stories. BTW, sorry the fic's kinda...off. I'm a little distracted. ;)